Addicted to Home Design

Category Archives: Icons in Design

Nothing says conscious uncoupling like unloading $14 million dollars on a John Lautner masterpiece just before announcing you’re calling it quits. Paltrow and her husband Chris Martin are separating after ten years of marriage. But, that hasn’t stopped them from scooping up this gorgeous Malibu pad.

I wouldn’t call my feelings for Paltrow love/hate, because I don’t feel that strongly about her. But, I definitely have a like/dislike thing going for her. On one hand I respect her talent, her grace, her conviction and dedication to mindful eating and exercise. But, she is so damned arrogant. I also can’t say I blame her, she’s got a lot going for her. But, it is annoying. I was bummed to hear that her and her rocker husband were calling it quits. But, she is far too pretentious to call it a separation. Instead it’s a conscious uncoupling. Oh boy.

So, since she will be all over the media this week, I thought what better time than to look at her latest purchase, a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,650 square foot private gated estate in Malibu, called The Garwood Estate.

The fact that their marriage was struggling didn’t sway this power duo from buying this home and one possible reason is that it’s rare that a John Lautner designed home hits the market. Scott Garner, House of the Day columnist for Curbed National said that it’s hard to imagine Los Angeles and Palm Springs without his influential designs.

“His iconic, forward-looking homes have set the standard for modern residential architecture, creating a style that’s instantly recognizable and distinctly Southern Californian.”

Take a closer look at this kitchen island. I’m hoping they have their buddies Jay-Z and Beyonce over and they break into the surfboard rap from Drunk in Love. Even better if B gets on the island to dance and sing!

Take a look at the wall of windows above the kitchen cupboards. I absolutely love that. Even better is the view through the bedroom window!

While the home is beautiful, the outdoor spaces are really spectacular. This outdoor staircase has a mystical feel to it.

To take a look at even more images of The Garwood Residence go here and see the listing here. And, since I’m a bit of a romantic, I hope they consciously recouple and live happily ever after here. The End.

When you’re set in a beautiful landscape, why not reflect the natural surroundings? Lucid Stead is an art installation home in Joshua Tree, San Bernadino, California. The home is on desert land owned by the artist himself, Phillip K. Smith III. It was originally a shack dating back to the 1940’s.

Part art project, part architecture, the home transforms throughout the day. In the daylight, it appears almost transparent as it reflects its surroundings. In the evening the structure’s door and windows change colors by LED lights controlled by computer. To see more of this gorgeous project go here.

Creative power couple Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan were recently featured in their Shelter Island home in the Hampton’s Magazine. They look like so much fun! I’d love to spend a weekend with them. But, only a weekend. It feel like their quirky personalities and tireless energy would be exhausting! Plus, they’d need to outfit me with colorful socks, I definitely don’t have any colorful socks.

This looks like this isn’t their doggy’s first moped ride. Somewhere in my closet I have a hat like this. I could easily fit into this scene!Paddleboarding in their infinity pool. Simon has the better idea. The mother in me wants to scream—sit down Jonathan, if you fall you’ll hit your head! Save that for the open water.Finally they’re lounging. Bright and poppy beach towels add even more whimsy to their life. I found some high end Jonathan Adler towels here, and a more affordable option here.Can you imagine having enough space to dedicate a room to 70’s hanging rattan chairs? I have to admit I thought these were cool in the 70’s. But, I was a child. Not a fan anymore. This is where Jonathan and Simon can hang while I get some alone time on Shelter Island.These images were so much fun I had to do some more shopping for Jonathan Adler. First on my list is his latest book, “100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life.”

Adler broke into the business with pottery. I just read he first discovered pottery at summer camp at age 12. And, he was wearing a Rush t-shirt! I’m in love with this whale pitcher, classic and campy at the same time. It can be found here.

This super cute bud vase shows there are two sides to everything! Just turn it around to change up your decor. It can be found here.

While Jonathan Adler specializes in white pottery, he also (obviously) loves pops of color. He now sells wall art kits called Wall Pops that feature picture frames, patterns, flower and more. Two of my favorites are below and can be found here and here.

If you’d like to see more of Adler and Doonan’s Shelter Island home visit here.

The year was 1986 and one movie stood out. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was written and directed by John Hughes. If you haven’t seen the film, you should. If for nothing else, you should watch it to get a closer look at the gorgeous home of character Cameron Frye. And for just $1.5 million dollars, you can own it!

The home is located in Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago. The main house has four bedrooms and was built in 1953. It was designed by A. James Speyer, a disciple of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. It was about 20 years later that the pavilion was designed by David Haid to house an exotic car collection.

The home is a mid-century masterpiece! It’s been on and off the market for the last few years. It was listed in 2009 for $2.3 million before taking several reductions. It was taken off the market in 2011.

The home has been renovated and has new interior and exterior steel windows, new roofs, and new carpet.

While the home is gorgeous empty, it’s fun to see some images with a decorated space. I love the wood ceilings and the design of the home makes it a great place to hang art.To see more images and the listing go here. To read more about the home and see the video clip where the 1961 Ferrari goes crashing through the glass click here. If you want to reminisce with your own copy of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off click here.

Ralph Lauren is celebrating 30 years of his home collection and he invited Architectural Digest into some of his homes and offices! Of course the rooms featured look like showrooms for all of his products, which include furniture, china, lighting, bedding, rugs, wall coverings and more.

Lauren’s many homes include “a minimalist Manhattan apartment, a rustic-modern Long Island beach house, a ranch in Colorado, a tropical retreat in Jamaica, and a stone manse in Bedford, New York.” The office below looks like a Restoration Hardware store! It’s actually Lauren’s personal office at the company’s headquarters in Manhattan.This bathroom is a nice mix of contemporary and traditional design. I wonder if Ralph really hangs his hat here before he showers?The same tile floor continues into this bright family room, which has multiple blue and white pottery accents. The traditional pieces are paired with rustic details like the animal rack above the fireplace.

This guest cabin at Lauren’s Double RL Ranch in Colorado was built using century-old hand-hewn logs from Montana. Its name is Blue Pony, there are four more guest cabins on the property!The outdoor dining area is staged with linens and tableware from Ralph Lauren Home. Gorgeous!

Confession time: we still have a Ralph Lauren comforter that is over 15 years old! I’ve bought other bedding, but, somehow that comforter continues to find its way to our bed. It’s a testament to how well made it is. If you’re interested in your own Ralph Lauren Home items you can find them at Macy’s. Now is the time to buy since they’re having their annual Home Sale! To see even more images of Ralph Lauren’s homes and learn more details visit Architectural Digest here.

So just what is a Usonian home? And where in the heck is Armonk? Armonk is a hamlet of North Castle in Westchester County, New York. What that means is you could live here and commute to Manhattan.

Usonia is a word that was used by Frank Lloyd Wright that referred to his vision for architecture and planning of cities. Usonian homes typically have a strong visual connection between the exterior and the interior. This home was designed by David Henken, an apprentice to Wright.

The listing calls this home “SUPERNATURAL MODERN” and I have to agree with that! It also says, “Welcome to an expansive, hidden, two acre, meticulous property with water views complimented by a modernistic study in angles & light. David Henken designed this home embracing the union of landscape & architecture.” I read an interesting blog about David Henken here.

The Huffington Post has an article that features the homes of famous architects. It’s not unusual to see their designs, but it’s more fun to look at the structures they designed for their own use. You can only imagine it’s their best work! It includes: Alden B. Dow’s Home and Studio, Philip Johnson’s Glass House, Walter Gropius’ House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, Frank Gehry’s House and more.

The Philip Johnson Glass House is in New Canaan, Connecticut and was completed in 1949. It was inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House. With no interior walls, and exterior walls made of glass, it’s a great departure from houses of the time.

The Eames Lounge Chair and ottoman. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, a true icon in modern furniture design, it’s as popular today as it was when first manufactured in 1956. If you’re a fan, Herman Miller has a nationwide sale event until June 10th, where everything is 15% off. As much as I’d like to celebrate by purchasing some of my favorites, instead I’ll share with you some history of the husband and wife design team that led to a new look in furniture.

Charles and Ray Eames met at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. True artists, they not only made major contributions in furniture design and architecture, they also worked in film, fine art, industrial design and graphic design. I had the opportunity to visit The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan this weekend, and I grabbed a few images of their permanent exhibit on Charles and Ray Eames. Interesting fact below, Ray died ten years to the day after her husband Charles.

The images and stories, share their design philosophy and their playful nature.

A number of their designs are on display, including molds for some of their classic chairs.

If you’re a fan of modern furniture, I highly recommend learning more about this ambitious, creative couple. A popular PBS documentary is available to watch online. Bonus, it’s narrated by James Franco!If you’re in the market for some great Herman Miller furniture, now is the time to buy! Here is the one I want! Here is more information about The Henry Ford.